Lowestoft Honours Wartime Bomb Disposal Heroes

Tuesday, 11 November 2025 14:00

Lowestoft Town Council has unveiled a new commemorative plaque at Ness Park to honour the courageous work of bomb and mine disposal personnel who served during and after the Second World War.

The plaque pays tribute to those who risked their lives clearing unexploded ordnance across the region — and particularly remembers two serving personnel who lost their lives on the North Denes while carrying out their duties.

The unveiling ceremony took place today Armistice Day - 11th November.

Local historian Bob Collis gave a short talk at the event, sharing the stories of the men who died during the dangerous task of clearing wartime explosives from the area.

The plaque bears the names of four people who from the Bomb Disposal Company Royal Engineers who lost their lives:

Lt Ian L Hoare who was 23 and Cpl Geoffrey Gibbs aged 35 - both from 22 lost their lives in Arnold Street and Sapper Sydney A Denton aged 35 and Sapper William J D Ellis who was 23 who both died on the North Denes.

The plaque’s location at Ness Park has been chosen to ensure that the bravery and sacrifice of those involved in bomb and mine disposal are remembered by future generations.

Lowestoft Town Council says the memorial recognises an often-overlooked aspect of the town’s wartime history — the vital work of those who made local streets, beaches, and waters safe in the years following the conflict.